Medical Society of the State of Pennsylvania,

AT ITS TWENTY-FIFTH ANNUAL SESSION,

HELD AT

EASTON, PA., MAY, 1874.

THE Medical Society of the State of Pennsylvania met in the Chapel of the Reformed Church at Easton, May 13, 1874, at 3 P. M. The President, Dr. S. B. KIEFFER, of Cumberland County, occupied the chair, supported by Vice-Presidents Dr. J. E BULKELEY, of Luzerne County, and Dr. JOHN MONTGOMERY, of Franklin County.

The Permanent Secretary, Dr. Wм. B. ATKINSON, of Philadelphia, the Recording Secretary, Dr. CHARLES MOINTIRE, of Northampton, and the Treasurer, Dr. BENJAMIN LEE, of Philadelphia, were pre

sent.

The session was opened with prayer by Rev. W. C. Cattell, D.D., President of Lafayette College.

Dr. TRAILL GREEN, Chairman of the Committee of Arrangements, welcomed the delegates as follows::

MR. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN OF THE MEDICAL SOCIETY OF THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA: Many pleasant memories cluster around the past gatherings of the members of this Society. We recollect the genial intercourse of kindred minds, the associations of our great medical city, where we have often met amid the scenes of our early studies, the surroundings of pleasant cities and towns of our beautiful State, the hospitality of the citizens with whom we become acquainted, and, above all, the professional subjects, so dear to us, which have occupied our attention in our annual meetings. With these pleasant recollections crowding upon us, we, the members of the Medical Society of Northampton County, greet you in 2

VOL. X.

this the twenty-fifth annual meeting, desiring to reciprocate the kindness which has been extended to us at so many former meetings. We realize to-day a long anticipated pleasure, which, ere this, we were not permitted to enjoy-the pleasure of giving you a cordial welcome to our county and borough, and of enjoying with you our annual festival. From Pittsburg, and Erie, and Franklin, and Williamsport, and Pottsville, and Altoona, and Westchester, and our State capital, and Wilkesbarre, and Lancaster, and Carlisle, and Hollidaysburg, and our great city of medical schools, where we have met you, we greet you now. Some of you have travelled almost three hundred miles to this most eastern line of our great State, impressed by your journey of its magnitude, and here to see beyond our river a sister State, honored by her venerable medical organization, as well as by its eminent membership.

We will not speak of the beauties of this region to which we have invited you-of our beautiful hills and valleys and rivers-we invite you to the enjoyment of the scene during your sojourn with us, and only say He that hath eyes to see, let him see."

66

This town, at an early day in its history, was the great grainmart for all the region around us in this State and New Jersey. Philadelphia received much of its flour from this town. It is still supported by the agricultural community in the midst of which it. is placed. This will give you some idea of the character of the people you will meet during this visit. They are strongly attached to the region in which they live, and seldom seek homes elsewhere, not expecting to find the enjoyment furnished by the scenery of their birth-place.

We will welcome you this evening to our college Hall of Science, a monument to the liberality of a private citizen of our State, whom our profession, so devoted to charity, will delight to honor, and the more as the hall is dedicated to the study of those sciences which medical men have always cultivated; sciences which, I may say, they have kept alive. For a long time chemistry was taught almost exclusively in our medical schools, and when taught in classical institutions the teachers were usually members of our profession. The same remark is true of botany and zoology. Medical men have cultivated geology and mineralogy, and the whole circle of natural science. Hence, from the earliest times, the true medical man received the name of physician, which to-day is his most honored title.

I need not cite to you the names of the distinguished members of our profession abroad, and at home as well, who have cultivated science, and at the same time adorned and advanced the science of medicine. Let me say that this hall, to which we will welcome you, we have placed hard by the hall of letters. Studies long separated we here bring together. What our profession cultivated after the classical course, we conduct together in the same institution under one faculty, that the elevating and refining culture of the literary hall may be advanced side by side with the beautiful culture of the science of nature, so helpful to the physician, so grand and comprehensive in its mission in the work of education. We ought not to be more ignorant of the associations and relationships of our pro

fession and refining culture, than were the people of ancient times. They regarded the sciences and arts, especially poetry and music, as so closely related to physic that in their mythology one Deity was supposed to preside over them, and so Dr. Armstrong has written

"the wise of ancient days ador'd

One power of physic, melody, and song."

We are proud that so many who have adorned our profession have not forgotten its relationships, and that Apollo has had his followers among those devoted to medicine. Rather, I would say, worshipping a purer Divinity, by whom our profession has been honored, and sharing largely in the blessings of a civilization which has followed the diffusion of our holy religion, we may well use what has come to us in promoting the interests of our noble calling and the good of mankind.

There is here also a roll of honor on which is recorded the names of men who brought to medicine the highest literary culture, teaching and writing in classic tongues, and introducing into our own language the philosophy and science of early times. We will show you how full are our equipments for teaching the sciences and beautiful letters, and we feel that we may justly occupy some of the time of the Society in doing so. We are persuaded that in the purpose of our profession to extend the term of study in the medical school, the scientific hall and the college will help us, since here many of the studies will be carried forward by the pupils, so that more time may be given to the study of the practice of medicine, surgery, clinical medicine, and other subjects strictly professional.

We would hope that it may ever be the aim of the members of our State Medical Society to secure the highest culture of young men who seek admission to our profession, in which the highest sciences are cultivated, and where the refinement of the best culture should adorn the membership.

We are glad to welcome so many of the younger members of the profession to these annual gatherings. From year to year we have found them filling up the break in our lines made by death, occupying the places of the good physicians who have passed away, whom we loved to meet, and whom we honored as successful laborers in the field of medical science. We welcome you to the same field, and we trust you will prove yourselves worthy followers of those who have preceded you. You will find these meetings profitable, as you here cultivate a social feeling, while you gather inspiration for the work and labor which await you at home.

We are associated "for the advancement of medical knowledge; the elevation of professional character; the protection of the professional interests of our members; the extension of the bounds of medical science; and the promotion of all measures adapted to the relief of suffering, the improvement of the health, and the protection of the lives of the community." It is evident that these ends cannot be reached by individual members of the profession working alone. It is strange that all our young men do not see this, and make it their purpose to enter the County Medical Society, the State, and National organizations as positions of the highest honor.

We have all that we could desire to encourage us in our State. I have sometimes thought that Pennsylvania is the Paradise of doctors. Our services were not needed in the first Paradise, and we were not represented there. In our present Paradise the people honor our profession, and are not slow to reward the services of those who faithfully attend to its duties. We find in our good State a Paradise as near like to the first as is possible now.

It is quite common for young medical men to become discouraged soon after they enter upon their professional career. They imagine that their skill is not appreciated, and that they are neglected, while some charlatan is growing rich. This is a mental disease which few members of the profession escape; and, as it is like some of the diseases of childhood, measles, for example, we would wish that all might get it early and pass through it. The sooner the attack occurs the sooner they will pass through it, and come to the possession of perfect professional health. They will be sustained in this affliction by cultivating love for the profession. Indeed, in all our work, sick or well, in order to complete it pleasantly, we must be dead in love with medicine. I presume most of you know what I mean by this term, borrowed from a language with which I suppose all my young friends are familiar-dead in love, dying for the object of our affection, dead to every other love. I do not speak of falling in love, for those who fall in love with anything are apt to fall out of it again. Love here, as elsewhere, germinates and grows, and attains to vigor and beauty. It must not be selfish. It will not ask how rich is the object of my affection? nor how high will I be lifted up by union with her? Rather, what are her personal qualities? how worthy is she of my affection? how pure? how noble? So we personify the profession to ourselves, that we may feel that she loves us. Animated by this pure affection, given and received, we pursue dili gently our studies, and enjoy the adornments belonging to true medicine. She is a bride worthy of your love-adorned as she is with all the charms of nature--and, with the benevolence of her heart, devoted to the best and purest services for the benefit of our race. None who have loved her have failed in the object of their life, and in the long years of devotion to her, their love has grown purer and deeper and stronger.

Never admit, never imagine there is any calling so noble, any work more worthy of your best powers, any relation you can occupy among your fellow-men that will bring to you purer joys, more confidence and trust, or sweeter rewards. There is nothing in other pursuits you need envy, there are no higher rewards obtained now, or richer promises to be fulfilled hereafter, than those have who have ministered to the afflicted and sorrowing in the name of their Divine Master.

We welcome you all, Mr. President and gentlemen, to our annual festive meeting and our yearly work.

Dr. Green then offered the following programme for the sessions of the Society :

Meetings.-Wednesday, May 13, the Society will meet in the lec